Watsu Water Therapy

Thanks for visiting my Work and Life Balance Blog.

I had THEE most bliss-inducing experience recently and I am eager to tell you about it!

Have you heard of Watsu water therapy? Watsu is gaining recognition for its incredible benefits to body, mind and soul.

The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia is now blessed to have had a beautiful, new Watsu water therapy pool and spa open recently. Fortunate me, I got to experience a water session (as a thank you for being a "photo model" for the website of this new spa facility).

Here's me in the photo below being loving supported and guided by my friend and sensitive Watsu practitioner, Taylore Sinclair. Being gently moved, rocked, massaged and swirled around in the water sent me into immediate bliss... even while a photographer was taking photographs!

So, what is Watsu? Here's a description I found to explain it...

"Watsu is a unique form of aquatic bodywork that is practiced in a warm pool environment. It is a very soothing type of massage that takes place in warm, waist-deep water. Its name comes from a combination of the words “water” and “shiatsu.”

It was developed by Harold Dull back in 1980, when he started applying Zen Shiatsu stretches to students floating in the warm pool at Harbin Hot Springs in California. Small floats are used to keep the body buoyant, helping to create a thermal and gravitational state of homeostasis in which the receiver’s external experience is aligned with our body’s internal state.

With Watsu, the client is supported by the practitioner and the experience is profoundly personal; the eyes typically close, the ears under water do not track for sound, and the brain wave patterns deepen to an alpha state similar to that of meditation."

Taylore twirled me through the water, one way then another, taking my body through a series of passive stretches and twists, applying various shiatsu pressure points throughout the water session. I found being held and moved in the comfortably warm water deeply relaxing. My attention turned inward, my breath deepened, my mind became quiet and my body found it's own unique pattern of movement. I felt an almost immediate sense of well-being as my busy outer world fell away and my attention turned to the present moment.

In addition to the emotional, spiritual benefits, Watsu has a good therapeutic effect on the body the water allowing the spinal column to be moved in ways that aren't possible on land. Allowing myself to be cradled in another's arms in deepish water was a positive experience in trusting that someone is there to support me. Aches disappeared and I felt like liquid both in and out of the pool later. I came away feeling deeply relaxed, emotionally opened AND I slept like a baby that night!

Please visit Taylore (and husband, Bill's) beautiful website for more information...

... (you'll see me "starring/floating" in the photographs)...

... http://www.beyondthewavesspa.com/

I hope to Watsu again really soon... and you might want to check this lovely healing method out for yourself, too.

Love, Carolyn

http://www.life-balance-success.com/

Summertime Balance

Summertime hellos!

How wonderful it would be to play complete hookie from all obligations and commitments (both work and personal) and simply play for the summer months! Those of you that can afford work time off and afford a vacation are fortunate. Those of us that have to continue working (me included), really need to make the time to have bite-size opportunities to break away and rejuvenate. Keeping up with all the peripheral "need-to-be-done jobs" has to be put into perspective (and occasionally put on the back burner) in support of healthy living!

Wouldn't you say...

The yardwork can wait one more day.
The filing of papers and answering correspondance can wait one more day.
Certainly, the vaccuuming and dusting can wait.
The mess in the carport will still be there tomorrow.

I admit, my life is hectic busy and not in very good balance right now and I know that working non-stop is simply not healthy. Thankfully, my involvements are ones I enjoy at least.

This is the time of year to be outdoors, walking in the woods, having a picnic or canoeing the inlet! Friends are calling to meet for barbeques, beer and laughing together. Nurturing our souls, our bodies and our friendships are key ingredients to life balance. Thankfully, our westcoast Canada summer season is fairly long compared to many other world regions... but still, time moves on quickly if we're not aware and setting priorities. Taking leisure time, balanced with other responsibilities is important for life.

So I ask, how are you doing in this regard? If you're like me, working like a dog and just managing to stay on top of necessary tasks it's time to step back and evaluate! Believe me, I am asking myself the following questions... you might ask them of yourself, too...

What are the aspects of life and work that could be slowed down for now?
What activities or commitments could be graciously declined?
Who could be called in to get help from?
How could responsibilities be delegated?

We've already had our longest day of the year, from here they begin shortening gradually. Now is the time to catch the spirit of summer and do some things to recharge our batteries, even if they're close to home and in the evenings after your work!

It's summer! There are festivals to enjoy, there are parks, there are picnics, there are bike rides, there are musical celebrations, etc. happening in your community. Get out and seek balance... instead of wishing you could have it. I'm committed to changing things for myself.

Here's a photo taken during our recent Canada Day parade...

Warmly, Carolyn

Healing Touch for Health

Thanks to USA Today and Phil Galewitz for writing an encouraging article about Healing Touch, a gentle, energy-based alternative method of healing.

"Healing Touch... not just a rubdown."

"Healing touch is not a massage. Sometimes the practitioner's hands hover above the body and don't actually make contact. Healing touch is an "energy therapy" that uses gentle hand techniques purported to help re-pattern the patient's energy field and accelerate healing of the body and mind. It is based on the belief that people have fields of energy that are in constant interaction with the environment around them, Wardell says.

More than 86,000 nurses and other health professionals use healing touch in hospitals and in private practice, according to Healing Touch International, a non-profit Colorado-based group that certifies practitioners."

To read the entire article, entitled: "Healing Touch: A new patient outreach program" click on this link...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-04-healing-touch_N.htm?POE=click-refer

As a certified Healing Touch Practitioner myself, I am very excited to read stories of this nature! If you've never had a treatment (and, no, you DO NOT have to be sick in order to benefit!), gift yourself with one. It is a lovely process that quietens and re-balances the entire body, mind and spirit!

Warmly, Carolyn

http://www.life-balance-success.com/